Protura are among the smallest of wingless soil arthropods — usually 0.2-2.0 mm in length. Their body is divided into a head, a thorax with three pairs of walking legs, and a segmented abdomen. The first three abdominal segments bear very small appendages (only seen under a compound microscope).

There are no eyes or antennae on the head, and the head is quite small and narrow. The first pair of legs (forelegs) has sensory function, and is typically held extended forward, which can cause the forelegs to be easily mistaken for antennae. Protura are white, but the end of the abdomen and the tips of the forelegs are often light yellow. Some adults can be darker yellow all over, due to stronger sclerotization. Protura are considered to be a sister group to Collembola, and one of the oldest groups of terrestrial arthropods.

Very little is known about the biology of
Protura — their diet, life history, interactions with
other organisms and the role in the environment remain unknown.
In culture, proturans have been observed feeding on mycorrhizal
fungi. The details of proturan reproduction are also unknown.
Development is direct, through a series of moults —
juveniles resemble adults in general appearance, except for
smaller size and fewer abdominal segments. Juvenile Protura
also have incomplete sets of body setae and undeveloped reproductive
organs.

Where to find them?

Protura can be found in the upper layers
of soil, in leaf litter and decaying wood, underneath the
bark on dead trees, in moss, and in other similar habitats.
Some have been collected from ant nests, caves, and nests
of small mammals. Although common, Protura are not routinely
encountered in soil samples. Sometimes they are present in
large numbers - population density of Protura in New Zealand
can reach from several hundred to several thousand individuals
per square meter; their distribution is very patchy.

Because of their small size and relative
rarity, observing or collecting live proturans in the field
is difficult. The most effective way to collect Protura is
by using the Berlese funnel. Collected Protura can be preserved
in 75% alcohol.

Distribution and conservation

Proturans are found world-wide in tropical
and temperate regions; they have not been recorded in Antarctica
or the Arctic. About 500 species have been described to date.
Fourteen species of Protura are known from New Zealand (Tuxen,
1985). Five of these species are found elsewhere in the Southern
hemisphere and are thought to originate from the super-continent
Gondwana. Two species appear to have been introduced to New
Zealand from Europe and nine species are endemic to New Zealand.
In New Zealand, proturans can be found in native forests,
in exotic Pinus radiata plantations, and in agricultural
soil. Protura are poorly studied, and very little is known
about New Zealand proturans, apart from species names. They
are not protected.